Luxemburgism

Luxemburgism is a variant of Marxist revolutionary theory based upon the writings of Rosa Luxemburg. Luxemburgism supported the Russian Revolution, but it was critical of Leninist-Bolshevik policies. The chief tenets of Luxemburgism were a commitment to democracy, the necessity of immediate revolution, the centrality of the working class in the revolutionary struggle, opposition to the totalitarianism of Stalinism, opposition to the reformist policies of social democracy, and popular self-reliance rather than having faith in leaders. Luxemburg's idea of democracy was her greatest break from mainstream communism, as she criticized the lack of free elections, unrestricted freedom of the press and assembly, and a free struggle of opinion in post-revolutionary Russia. Her views also opposed imperialist war and capitalism, leading to her criticism of the Social Democratic Party of Germany for supporting World War I. As of 2014, very few Luxemburgist revolutionary movements existed, as her views on democracy were too vague to acquire a large following,